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As a teacher, I’ve seen the tremendous impact internships have on a student’s ability to see him or herself as capable of success. They can provide students deliberate exposure to role models who have used education as a vehicle for success, thus helping students see success as tangible for themselves.

Through summer internships, students gain real-world skills and cultivate a sense of pride and purpose. They also see that they have something of value to contribute to the world. Internships can expose students to academic majors they never previously considered and provide them with real-world career preparatory skills.

Students of mine who participated in such programs have remarked on how much their lives and perspectives have changed. One of my students, Joy, said of her internship with the Bureau of Engineering, “I was able to learn about a community by contributing to society and helping it achieve a cleaner environment. I job shadowed important city officials, got involved in the Echo Park Lake rehabilitation process, and the gained a once-in-a-life time opportunity which will open up my future.”

Another student, Paola, recently applied social media skills she learned in a Global Girls Internship last summer by creating a class blog on what it means for our students to be learners (thelearnersproject.wordpress.com) and has decided she wants to major in journalism.

So, how does a student go about getting a summer internship? Here are five easy steps for students to make the idea a reality and for their supporters to help them do so:

Research. Schools often have a career center, career wall space, or a staff member who knows about current internship and community opportunities. Also, a Google search will return a plethora of listings. Narrow down by location, field and time frame. You may even be able to travel for free with your internship — the possibilities are endless!

Resume. Assemble a basic resume that includes your experiences in and out of school. Highlight experiences that show skills including leadership, community service, teamwork, technology or linguistic skills. Be sure to have someone you trust proofread your resume.

Letter of recommendation. Tell a teacher, coach, counselor, or community member you’ll be applying for internships and ask if they know you well enough to write you a good letter of recommendation. Give them a few weeks notice if possible. You may want to ask for a few copies of the letter and ask if they can also be a reference for you on your application. Be sure to note if the application asks for a letter that is signed and individually submitted, or simply included with the application.

Essay. Some internships may ask for statements on why you want the internship, what your goals are, how you’ve faced hardships or how you’ve contributed to your school or community. Remember to focus not only on what you did, but what it says about who you are as a person. When writing from a solutions-based, survivor mindset, focus on focus on how you dealt with challenges, rather than simply the challenges themselves.

Job interview. Be prompt, be prepared and be present. Attend school or community offers workshops on job preparation. Practice your interview handshake and greeting, rehearse questions ahead of time, research their organization so that you have some knowledge about it going in, and come up with a couple follow-up questions to ask your interviewers. Follow up with a thank you email or card telling them you really enjoyed meeting them and learning about their organization.

In an ideal world, all students would have the opportunity to participate in internships and programs to enrich their education. This would not be separate from their education at school, but an extension of their academic learning. Internships and programs are powerful opportunities for students to take charge of their own learning and invest in their own potential. Thought it takes time and planning, it has made a world of difference for my students and I’m sure yours will feel the same.

Good luck!

Linda Yaron, a 2010 Teaching Ambassador Fellow, currently teaches English, Peer College Leadership, and Healthy Lifestyles at the School for the Visual Arts and Humanities in Los Angeles, CA.

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We have found that high school students who participate in school year and summer internships make better choices about their post secondary plans and have clearer ideas about their futures. We have partnered with a major hospital for many years and continue to expand and deepen the opportunities for our students

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Blog articles provide insights on the activities of schools, programs, grantees, and other education stakeholders to promote continuing discussion of educational innovation and reform. Articles do not endorse any educational product, service, curriculum or pedagogy.